Running Into Realization

When we arrived at his parents’ home, I was in awe. They had a modern Georgian-style house with a balcony above the front door and a wrap-around driveway situated on 6 acres of lush green grass. There were peach and orange trees all around.

Beautiful white calla lilies lined the front porch, and motion lights along the walkway illuminated the house, making everything look like a dream I never wanted to wake up from.

I was so captivated that I forgot where I was and stood there mindlessly staring longer than I should have. It wasn’t until I heard, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” that I snapped out of it.

Eric grabbed my hand and led the way. As we got closer to the door, I could smell the delicious aroma of a good old Southern home-cooked meal. My mouth watered.

Standing in the doorway was a small, white-haired woman who looked so delicate that I thought she’d break if I touched her. Her smile was wide and welcoming.

“Come on in, sweetheart. We don’t bite,” she said in the most comforting tone I’d ever heard.

Then I realized that Eric had said that to me the night we met. This is where he got it from. A smile tugged at the edge of my lips at the thought.

She reached out and hugged me. Again, I was scared she’d break, so I gave her more of a church hug than an embrace.

She showed us to the dining room, where a whole spread was laid out. There was fried chicken, collard greens, beans, macaroni and cheese, roasted potatoes, corn, salad, and even fish (I think whiting).

“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I cooked a little of everything,” she said, smiling.

“Oh, I don’t mind at all,” I laughed.

We all took our seats when a tall, white-haired man appeared in the doorway of the dining room. He had piercing gray eyes just like Eric and an expression on his face that either read, “Don’t get too comfortable,” or “I have gas.” I don’t know which it was, but it was intimidating either way. The tension eased when he spoke. His voice was softer than expected.

“Kitty, where’s that daughter of yours?” he asked.

“Oh hush, Ernest. She’s your daughter too, and she mentioned she couldn’t make it this time. Maybe next week.”

“Her loss.”

We all laughed as Kitty and Ernest held their hands out and bowed their heads.

Suddenly, the door swung open. I lifted my head while Eric, Ernest, and Kitty remained still. In walked a hearty, red-haired, green-eyed man exuding lumberjack vibes.

“Kitty, we really should install a deadbolt on that door.”

“Joining us for dinner, Walt, or looking for something?” Kitty asked.

“You know I wouldn’t miss dinner with my in-laws,” Walt replied.

“Not your in-laws,” Eric interrupted.

“Don’t mind me, brother. I’m just manifesting,” Walt said.

Eric rolled his eyes as Ernest interjected, “Kitty’s daughter isn’t here if that’s who you’re looking for.”

I wasn’t sure who this daughter was, but she seemed to be quite important. Walt seemed to think so too because he frowned at the news.

Walt took a seat, and we all bowed our heads in prayer before digging in. The room was filled with energy and laughter. Even though I had just met these people, I felt like I had known them forever. Afterward, we had brownies and homemade ice cream. It was incredibly delicious.

When everyone was done eating, Eric offered to clean up. He would wash the dishes while I dried them. I wiped the table while he swept. We made a great team.

Just as I was about to sit and relax, I felt a pull on my arm.

“Hey, come with me.”

Eric led me out back to a lake directly behind the house. He said he had spent most of his childhood there and wanted to take a quick swim. Skeptical at first, I shook my head. Somehow, he convinced me that it would be fun.

I got ready to move my feet when I heard his mom’s voice from behind me.

“May I have a word with you, dear?”

Nervous, I responded, “Of course.”

I turned around and waved my hand at Eric, who was already stretched out in the water, enjoying the night breeze on his skin.

Kitty had pulled me into the kitchen away from everyone and looked at me with intense yet soft eyes.

“You must be something special for him to bring you here. He never brings anyone here.”

Confused, I simply said, “I suppose.”

She looked me up and down and stayed quiet for a while before saying, “You know, sometimes in life our hearts move before our minds could even register what’s happening.”

She must’ve read the expression on my face because I didn’t need to respond before she spoke again.

“Just make sure you’re serious about him before getting involved with him.”

Stunned, I didn’t know what to say. It didn’t matter because as quickly as she said that she had left the room right after. Her words weighed heavy on me. Maybe she’d sensed something.

I went back outside and watched Eric for a few minutes before he got out and dried off. After putting his clothes back on we went and said our goodbyes and he drove me back home.